Heathcote Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 May 2026

Pupils enjoy coming to school. They receive a warm welcome each day from staff, who know them well. Pupils treat each other with tolerance and respect. They recognise that everyone is different and that some pupils might need additional support to help them learn or to manage their emotions. Pupils support one another and everyone is a valued member of the school's community. Over recent years, many pupils have joined the school in year groups other than the Reception Year. These pupils are quick to settle into school life. They form positive relationships with their peers and staff. Staff prioritise getting to know pupils as individuals. They identify any additional needs that pupils may have and put in place high-quality support and adaptations to remove barriers to learning or wellbeing. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantaged pupils learn happily alongside their peers. Most pupils conduct themselves well in lessons and around school. Pupils who are still learning to manage their own behaviour receive the support they need to be successful. Pupils play cooperatively at social times. They feel safe at school. Pupils know that staff will help if they are worried or upset. They are confident that staff will deal with bullying and unkind behaviour when it occurs. Pupils apply themselves well to their learning. They build secure knowledge and skills across a broad range of subjects. Most pupils secure the necessary accuracy and fluency in reading, spelling, handwriting and mathematics by the end of Year 6. Pupils are well prepared for their next steps. Pupils participate in a wide range of opportunities that enrich the curriculum and broaden their interests. These opportunities include trips, visitors to school, extra-curricular clubs and a rich array of outdoor learning activities. These experiences develop pupils' resilience and character.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that the handwriting curriculum is taught consistently well across early years and key stage 1.
• Leaders should continue their efforts to improve the attendance of disadvantaged pupils.
• Leaders should refine their monitoring to ensure that staff implement school improvement actions consistently, and that these actions have the rapid impact that leaders intend.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)